Question

In which city was the first Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) held ?

• A. Belgrade
• B. Bandung
• C. Tokyo
• D. Delhi

Hint:

Remember the distinction between Bandung and Belgrade: - Bandung Conference (1955): Precursor foundational conference of Afro-Asian solidarity. - Belgrade Summit (1961): First official Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (25 participating nations).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Concept: The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was established during the Cold War era as an international forum of states that chose not to formally align themselves with either of the two major power blocs led by the United States (Capitalist bloc) or the Soviet Union (Socialist bloc). Key foundational developments of NAM:
• Bandung Conference (1955): The Afro-Asian Conference held in Bandung, Indonesia, laid the preliminary groundwork and principles for solidarity among newly independent post-colonial nations.
• Founding Leaders: The movement was spearheaded by five key global leaders: \[ \text{Jawaharlal Nehru (India)}, \quad \text{Josip Broz Tito (Yugoslavia)}, \quad \text{Gamal Abdel Nasser (Egypt)}, \] \[ \text{Sukarno (Indonesia)}, \quad \text{and} \quad \text{Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana)}. \]
• First Official NAM Summit: The formal establishment and first summit of NAM took place in September 1961.

Step 1: Analyzing the historical background and establishment of NAM.
After World War II, the world was divided into two major military alliances: NATO (led by the USA) and the Warsaw Pact (led by the USSR). Newly independent nations of Asia, Africa, and Latin America sought an independent foreign policy path to preserve their sovereignty, foster national development, and avoid becoming pawns in Cold War proxy conflicts.

Step 2: Evaluating the location of the First Summit.
In September 1961, representatives from 25 neutral countries gathered in Belgrade , the capital of Yugoslavia (hosted by President Josip Broz Tito). This official conference marked the inauguration of the Non-Aligned Movement as an organized international entity.

Step 3: Evaluating the incorrect options.

• (B) Bandung: Hosted the landmark Afro-Asian Conference in 1955 which served as a precursor to NAM, but was not the first formal NAM Summit.
• (C) Tokyo: Tokyo was never the venue for the founding summit of NAM.
• (D) Delhi: Hosted the 7th NAM Summit in 1983, not the first summit. Hence, the first official NAM Summit was held in Belgrade in September 1961, making Option (A) the correct choice.